I just don't see the NHL letting the Wings go east. They are a huge draw out west and to lose them would hurt some of those teams. While I would LOVE it for travel and the fact there would be less games to stay up late for, I honestly don't see it happening.

But Detroit is a huge draw for wetsern teams. I doubt the Islanders will have the same sort of draw. Do they just let them go to the East without a fight?

As much as I wish the wings could move east to cut down on travel, I think CBJ would be better served to join the Eastern Conference. They could be in the same division with the Pens & Flyers and have a natural georgraphical rivalry. I think that would help the league and CBJ more than the wings moving East.

Plus, putting the K.C. Islanders in the Central division would give them another whipping boy to pile up some points. It would also be within driving distance for me to take in a game that would be cheaper than going to St. Paul to see the Wild.

While I hate the reminder of the tragedy that was NHL hockey in Kansas City - the "history will repeat itself" argument has got to effing go >_> Colorado got their team sacked before and the Avs seem to be prospering just fine.

However, as much as I would LOVE to have an NHL team to call my own.. Kansas City isf****** up so much of it's pro sports deals here that I'd CRINGE to see the NHL logo attached to anything. Right now we're on the verge of losing both the Chiefs AND Royals. Despite thinking that we could probably house an NHL team, putting one in this area with the way they're treating pro sports right now would be a HUGE mistake on the NHL's part.

Down the road, once the Mayor quits trying to eff everything up (or Kansas City elects a new one)... then I'd be all for giving it a go. Right now though, I just can't justify it. No matter how badly I want to have a team here.

Sit tight Islanders! Give Kansas City time to kick out the mayor before you come on over.

"Wang has been after – and has been promised – a new or refurbished Coliseum for years. But the project it's attached to is hung up in an environmental assessment and taking far too long for Wang's liking."

and

"The Islanders' lease expires in 2015, but some believe he'd move the Islanders before then. Commissioner Gary Bettman has publicly supported Wang's call for a new or retrofitted arena."

In the world of business negotiations, this is called "leverage, with the boss covering your back".